CBI Arrested 10 Of Sheikh Shahjahan Aides In 2019 Post LS Poll Murders In Sandeshkhali.

Kolkata; May 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 10 people, including a close aide of jailed former Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, in connection with the murder of 03 BJP workers during post-election violence in West Bengal following the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Among those arrested is Kader Molla, described by investigators as one of Shahjahan’s closest associates in Sandeshkhali, along with 09 others who had allegedly been absconding since the case was transferred to the central agency. According to CBI officials, the arrests relate to the killing of BJP activists Debdas Mondal, Pradip Mondal and Sukanta Mandal at Nazat in the Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district on 08th June 2019.

Investigators alleged that violent clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters over the hoisting of party flags after the Lok Sabha election results. During the confrontation, the 03 BJP workers were allegedly attacked and hacked to death by Molla and his associates.

The agency is probing allegations that the attack was carried out at the behest of Shahjahan, who is currently lodged in jail in connection with multiple cases, including the January 2024 assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at his residence in Sandeshkhali.

The case was initially investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police during the Trinamool Congress government’s tenure. Although the CID have filed a chargesheet, families of the victims alleged that the names of 28 accused persons, including Shahjahan and several of his associates, had been omitted from the document. The victims’ relatives subsequently pledged before the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI investigation, alleging that the state agency had deliberately excluded key accused from the case. After examining the submissions, the High Court ordered a CBI probe into the murders.

CBI officials said the 10 accused arrested this week had remained on the run since the agency took over the investigation. The arrests are being viewed by investigators as a major breakthrough in the long-pending case involving allegations of political violence in the aftermath of the 2019 parliamentary elections.

The agency is expected to produce the accused before a court and seek their custody for further interrogation as it continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings and the alleged conspiracy behind them. The development comes amid continued scrutiny of political violence cases in West Bengal, several of which have been transferred to central agencies following judicial intervention and complaints from victim’s families.

Earlier, on March 19th this year – The Calcutta High Court had rejected the bail plea of Sheikh Shahjahan, the suspended Trinamool Congress leader accused of orchestrating an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials last year. The decision was delivered by a single-judge bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh, who accepted the arguments presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation opposing Shahjahan’s release.

The case stems from an incident in January 2024, when officials from the Enforcement Directorate, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces personnel, were allegedly attacked by Shahjahan’s supporters during a raid at his residence. The operation was linked to an investigation into an alleged multi-crore public distribution system (PDS) scam in West Bengal.

Shahjahan, a political figure from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, is also facing multiple additional allegations, including illegal land acquisition, conversion of agricultural land into fish farms and serious charges related to the sexual assault of women in the area.

Opposing the bail plea, the CBI argued that Shahjahan could attempt to influence witnesses or interfere with evidence if released. It further alleged that he had previously tried to intimidate key witnesses even while in custody, including attempts to target a witness’s family members through associates.

Taking note of these submissions, the court concluded that granting bail at this stage would not be appropriate. However, it clarified that Shahjahan may file a fresh application in the future depending on the progress of the investigation and any new developments in the case.

Shahjahan was initially arrested by the West Bengal Police before being handed over to the CBI, which is currently leading the investigation. He has previously approached multiple courts seeking bail, but his applications have consistently been rejected

The case has drawn significant political attention in the state. While sections of the All India Trinamool Congress initially defended him, the party later suspended Shahjahan following sustained protests in Sandeshkhali, particularly led by women alleging abuse and exploitation.

Team Maverick.

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